STUDY IN USA
American education has formed a niche for itself that has sustained years of trying and testing. Some of the salient features of USA as the study destination are:
- Highest international acceptability and reputation
- As an investment in your future, a U.S. degree offers excellent value for the money. A wide range of tuition fees and living costs, plus some financial help from universities, make study in the United States affordable for thousands of students.
- Students have the freedom to choose from various courses within their university and have a choice of migrating from one institute to the other. Beyond the classroom walls, countless extra-curricular activities give students a chance to develop leadership skills and community spirit. U.S. universities promote outside-class learning through varied social, cultural, and sports activities.
- Jobs and stay back options.
- Top Ranking Institutions almost half of the top 100 Universities in the world are in USA.
- Financial Assistance available for meritorious students.
- International students are allowed to work 20 hours per week during their course and 40 hours per week during their vacations, they can make up to 9 to 15 $ per hour.
- An F-1 student is generally entitled up to one year of post-completion practical training. Authorization for this type of practical training may be granted for a maximum of 12 months and starts once you have graduated or completed your course of study(OPT and CPT).
- Education System
- Types of degree
- Study Guidance
- FAQs
Education System
USA universities place great significance on diversity, meaning classes will consist of students of different ages, religions and countries of origin. This provides a stimulating and rich learning environment that encourages cross-cultural understanding and networking. Most classes will contain no more than 20 students and the professors will take the time to get to know students and their strengths and will usually be willing to spend time outside of class to offer further support.
Types of Institution
- Public Universities: State-affiliated institutions financially supported by public taxes, usually large in size. All levels of degrees with different fields of study are offered.
- Private Universities: Private Institutions run without the control of the Government entity. Tuition fees of these institutions are higher but the international as well the domestic students pay the same amount of fees.
- Community Colleges: More over known as County Colleges or City colleges. Community colleges provide higher education and lower level tertiary education, granting certificates, diplomas and Associates Degree.
- Technical Institutes.
- Small Liberal Arts Colleges.
Types of degree
Associate Degree
In the USA , an associate degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four year college or university Bachelors degree. It is The lowest in hierarchy of post secondary academic degrees offered in USA.
Bachelors Degree
Commonly known as Undergraduate degree in India. The duration of the bachelors course is 4 years. Students who have completed a part of their undergraduate degree and want to go to the USA, can apply as a transfer Student.
Masters Degree
The binding requisite for Masters is the 16 year of education criteria. Students with Bachelors in Engineering are qualified whereas the students with B.Com, B.Sc, and B.A need to complete at least one year of Masters, post graduate diploma is also accepted by some specific institutions for specific programs. Exams required are GMAT for management related subjects / GRE for arts, science or any other subjects and TOEFL/ IELTS exams for admission.
Doctorate
Commonly known as PhD. Duration of the same may range from 3 years to 5 years. Students can take admission for a PhD only after completion of their master's degree. PhD students need to submit a research proposal as well have to appear for GRE/GMAT & TOEFL/IELTS exams for admissions.
Study Guidance
The cost of education in the USA varies between the states and the institutions.
Average tuition fees per year range from $15,000 to $60,000 (Private Institutions) and $10,000 to $20,000 (State Institutions).
Living expenses per year $10,000 - $16,000.
Accommodation will typically range from $3,000 to $8,000 per year.
Admission Intakes
US universities have4 intakes
Spring: January/February
Fall: August/September
Summer: April/May
Winter: December
Major intake is the Fall intake, but most of the universities are open for Spring and few of them for summer & winter intake too.
Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor (Undergraduate) : Minimum academic requirement: 10+2 with 50%, TOEFL-iBT 61-80 or IELTS 5.5 - 6.0 bands and SAT.
Master of Science Engineering (Graduate) : Minimum academic requirement: 10+2+4 with 50%, TOEFL-iBT 61-80 or IELTS 6.0 - 6.5 bands and GRE score of 300 (Note: Some Universities allow 12+3).
MBA : Minimum academic requirement: 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 & TOEFL-iBT 61-80 or IELTS 6.0 - 6.5 bands and GMAT score between 320 and 600.
Application Process
Students have to apply online both for Bachelors as well as Masters and each University has a different fee.
Documents Required
Sealed & stamped 10th, 11th and 12th Official Transcripts from school.
2 letter of Recommendations from school teachers.
Statement of Purpose.
work Experience letter (if the candidate has any work experience).
Statement of Purpose.
Essays, if required by the University.
Detailed CV.
Student visa process
Step 1: Attend a counseling session
Step 2: Register with us
Step 3: Apply for admission
Step 4: Institute issues the i-20
Step 5: Pay the sevis fee online
Step 6: Payment of visa fee
Step 7: Complete the ds 160 for online
Step 8: Book a visa interview
Step 9: Undertake an interview with embassy
Step 10: Visa outcome
Step 11: Travel Services
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is meant to give an opportunity for students to work in their field of study. It is typically given for 12 months for all degree holders, with an option to extend for 17 months for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Degree holders.
There are two types of OPT called pre-completion OPT and post completion OPT.
Pre-completion OPT is something that can be utilized by students to work in their area of study before the graduation.
Whereas, post-completion OPT is to work in their area of study after graduation. If the student chose to use pre-completion OPT, the respective amount of time is deducted from 12 months OPT time period.
You can work part time up to 20 hours on pre-completion OPT, when school is in session and you are enrolled full time and full time during summer breaks. If you choose to use pre-completion OPT, you will lose that amount of time from the overall 12 months OPT. It will be 1 months for 2 months of part time OPT (fall and spring terms) and 1 month for 1 month of full time OPT (summer terms).
OPT
Pre Completion OPT (Before complete study / before graduation)
Post Completion OPT (After complete study / after graduation)
OPT apply only 90 days before completion of program & no later than 60 days after complete your program.
OPT Filing Fees is approx $380 - $490 pay to US government.
Documents required to apply OPT: (I-765 form, Previous i-20, previous OPT-CPT copy, passport, photos, check etc).
US government take 2-3 month process.
When ISS recommended we received it within 30 days.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a program that temporarily allows international students with an F-1 visa to gain practical experience directly related to their major through employment, paid or unpaid internships, or cooperative (co-op) education. It must be part of an established curriculum. CPT must be completed before graduating. In addition, CPT can be part-time (20 hours or less a week) or full time (20 hours or more a week). Although, if you work full-time for 12 months in CPT, you will lose your eligibility for OPT.